Dual magneto ignition system for gas engines



EE?? FOR GS DUAL MAGNET() IGNITION SYST File Nov. 25 im 45 @2 DUAL MAGNET@ IC'TION SYSTEM FOR GAS ENGINES Filed Slam 2F. i932 4 Shees-Sheet 2 comprises Patented Sept. 15, 1925.

VGRK.

DUAL MAG-NETO 3f ETION Application :lile November 25, 19m?.v Serial No. 603,319.

To all wlom t may concern:

Bc it known that l, Fiinonnion Vf. ANDREW, a citizen ci' the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Dual MagnetoLgnition Systems for Gas Engines,

of which the Jfollowing is a specification.

v.My invention relates to electric ignition systems for gas engines, and its object is to provide a dual magneto ignition system lespecially useful in starting heavy gas eii- Unies.

It is a well known fact that gas engines designed for heavy work-as on road tractors, for instance*cannot be turned over when cold in the ordinary way. Handci'anking and battery starters are out of the question.

To overcome these and other dil'lciilties, l

`have invented an ignitionzsysteni which functions with certainty in producing the requisite electric sparks for starting ind running gas engines, particularly engines of heavy construction, where ordinary starting devices are useless or unreliable. `Briefly stated, in v new ignition system or apparatus a hand-operated high-tension. starting magneto, a high-tension running magneto driven by the engine, and a highteiision switch operated loy the starting inagneto for automatically controlling the ignition circuits of the two magnetos. These circuits are independent ot each other, ein cept that they may (but need not) utilize a coninion distributor in a multiecylinder engine. The high-tension switch is preferahly mounted on'the startin magneto and operatively connected to the armature shaft thc-rect'. For operating* the starting niagneto, l prefer a spring mechanism adapted to lie placed under' tension by moving a handle) and automatically releasetlto iniparten accelerated rotation to the armature 4ol' the startin ina-nieto wherel) the necessary starting spark is reduced. The hightcnsion switch norma ly closes the ignition circuit ot' the starting magneto, but after the armature has been rotated to produce the required spark for starting, the switch is automatically moved to open the starting circuit, whereupon ,the running magneto t es liold, as we say, to opeiate the engine.

4ning magneto ln one arri'iiigeinent of circuit connections, the liigh-tension switch automatically closes the ignition circuit of the running magneto right after the engine has started and'loa tore the distributor arm ci the running inagneto is in position to connect `the spark pli-ig. next to loe tired. There are several ways ot connectingthe two magneten in circuit, as will later `appear.

In the accompanying drawings l have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention as actually practised.

lln these drawings,

Figure l is a side view, partly in section of a high-tension starting magneto :tor use in my new ignition system;

2 is a right end view of the magneto shown in Fig. l, the handle '.t'or operating the starting gineclianisin being in normal position, the saine as in lEig. l;

Fig. il is a cross-section approximately on line 3-3 of l, showing the rotary member ot the high-tension switch and its gear connections 'with the armature shaft, the switch being iii normal or starting position 'to close the circuit ,oit the starting mage neto; l l

Fig. l is a view similar to Fig-l, 9., with certain parts in section to show the inside starting mechanism and with thel handle in thrown-over position;

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view oii the hand-actuated mechanism lforv operating the starting magneto, the section heilig taken approximately on lines if-5( and ,Vf-5 or Fig. 2, with the handle in sul)- stantially vertical position;

(l is a cross-section approximately on. line GHG of lig. l, looking in the direction ot the arrows;

Fig. if is a detached view, partly diagrammatic, showing the high-tension switch in position to close the ignition circuit oit the runningmagneto; l

Fig. 8 is a detached inside viewV of the insulating lolocli: which carries the contacts of the high-tension switch mounted on the starting magneto? Fig. 9 is a view, partly in section and partly broken away, oit a higlrtension runadapted for use in my ignition system;

Fig. if.) is t. detached inside view of the distributor bloeit shown in section in Fig. 9;

der engine is shuand m 1s s,

'upter.

humm

are necessary. or com'enwce mats the starting magne'o as a Whole by 5,

@n the righi @nfl Viewed in Fig. l) 0 the armature shzzf, l of 'the s ng magneto is moun'ed the medxzmism 01' Operating; the magneto by hand, n the present nstmlce, this starting mechanism is in Certain l'especs simar m the impulse stm-ter shown in my Patent No. lQlLlJQ s-.tad June l, Q20, and. is adapted to pzduce *fzcfm nsm is shown n shaped cy, mounted im .h1 any subnl" which pmu; best shown and sleevs G m M shn'f. T ouisl which may be Cal" Mamba?? M, Ue by sugaginv' olii the handle.

h @der to place when the handle 'l2 turned clockwise from 'the 'position shown in. Fig. Q, it is clear thm; the armature shafmust be held stationary. For fhis purpose, provide a xed catch l5) preferably formed on plate. 14. If this plate s made of she@ metal, catch 39 muy couvfeleuiy be orl'nd by striking; up thu metal j 'iw fr; bL'upff-r posbjra. @n the 3 1s :s smul ou spring 9 under teuf-ion lessees This auto icaily re eases the tensioned spring', whieh ii t o 'the erniatnre ansccelerated 1 ien saiiicient to produce a spark in 'the circuit the magneto, as those n 'the art well understand. l'`or- "at ou o'f the handle i2 continues un? tooth 22 from catch l.

jectien thereoi strikes stop l?. l bridle remains in actuated position unt-ii. 'thrown by the operator.

ln order to hold handle 12 and 'the connected parts against rai'itling,n or accidental movement in either position oi the handle, provide the handle with a pin 2'? adapted be pressed inwardly by a Wealr spring' Flats is provided with a pair of sinall 29 and 30, arranged Vas shown in Figs. 4 and 2, respectively. When handle l2 is in normal position, the inner rounded end .of pin 27 is pushed slightly into hole 29. This frietional Contact holds the handle iirnily in position, and yet per-mits the pin to readily 'forced out of the hole by a slight pressure on the handle. Siiniiarly, when 'the handle vreaches the end of its forward movement, pin 27 snaps into hole 30. 'Preferably the location of holes 29 and 30 such that 'there is a slight clearance between the handle and stops lo and 17, re

spectii/eiyS when handle is held by pin 27 in either position. l i

lheqarrneture 'l of the starting-mag has rigidiy mounted thereon a 'ear or pinion Si, which. is permal Ain mesh with slargo gear The ratio here is two to one, but this is merely" nia'tter of convenience, as any suite gear ratio may be used. Gears 3l and piieiierahlyina-de of noneinetallic nia-- uciA as balelite canvas or similar subciear 32 is secured 'to a shaft 33 .J new or otherwise. thrust .washer inay interposed. Gear 32 is enclosed f mi' which may he integral With to traine. l wili be understood, that the magneto frame or caston-inagnetic material. Shaft ed 'in a bushing 35 `mounted in 36. which may conveniently be ci the magneto frz-une. Bushis provjdcd at its outer end with s 2 57 adapted to iit into a recess 3G in o 35. To'eiect properengage 3l and 32, busi/dns` is made The outer edge of bushing; 35 is glitn a pair et diametrically oppoe notches 38,

turning; the oushingf` in such position that teeth of gear' will properly mesh With "sth of gear 3l. i1 hel/f. in, adjusted position by a spring i on housing screws 40,

"ifhe instal pi L f .eyeraiL points es indicated at c7 as indicated in dotted lines in."

ksnnilariy connected to Contact 57.

into which a tool isinserted f rilhe eccentric bushing' 36 is up-vv 4l in Fig. 4. These upset points forin prongs which press against the flange 37 of bushing 35 and thus hold the saine in adjusted position. lf desired, plate 39 may have a hook-like extension 39', which simply hooks over one of the screws and permits ready swinging of the plate into open and closed position.

Gear 32 has secured to the outer face thereof un insulating disk 42 which is removably fastened by suitable means, suoli as screws 43. Disk 42 carries an arc-shaped conducting strip or switch member 44, which is preferably embedded so as to lie substantially flush with the outer surface of the disk. as indicated in Fig. l.

On the traine of the starting" magneto is mounted a recessed insulating'block 45,.the 'form and construction of which are shown in Figs. l and 8. This block is preferably pressed or molded out of a suitable plastic composition, of which there are several on the market. Block 45 is so shaped that the lower edge 46 thereof rests on the upper straight edge of a plate 47 secured to the magneto trame, as shown in Fin'. l. A spring lever 48 is pivoted at 49 to a stud 50 on the magneto Aiframe, and the free end of the lever is adapted to bear against block 45 when the latter is in positionl on the machine. ly simply swinging the lever 4S out of engagement With block 45, the latter is ree to be removed from the magneto. As seen in Figi'. l; the circumferential edge 45 of block 45 nts against the adjacent edge of casing il, thus 'forming a practically closed chamber -for the parts inside.

Bloch 415 carries e spring-pressed contact 5l adapted to bear continuously on collector ring; 52 when the block is in position on the magneto. Contact 5l, .commonly called a collector brush, is usually formed of carbon. d. inetallicstrip or Wire 53 is embedded in block 45 and connected at its inner end to the metallic bushing 54 in which brushl is mounted. This shown in Fig. l. Referring to Fig, 8, -it will be seen that. the block 45 is on its innerface provided with contacts 557 56 and 57, similar in construction and mounting to Contact 5l. A Wire 58, connected at its inner end to brush 51,. is

no Y

tact 55. A conductor 58, passing through an .opening in block 45, is electrically connected'to Contact 56, and a conductor 59 is As wil?4 be explained later, conductors 58 and 59 are in the high-tension circuits of the starting and running niagnetos, but conductor 59 is never in the higntension circuit of the starting magneto. Contacts 55, 56 and 57 are arranged,concentrically with respect to the' arcuate ooiinecting strip 44., as indicated in Figs. 3 and 7. A

ltis thus clear that contacts 55 56 and Cil 57 and connecting strip all constitute a high tension switch controlled by the armature ot the starting magneto. When handle l2 is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 2,

strip #il is in position to connect contacts and 5b. We shall call this the normal or starting position ot the switch, because in that position it closes the ignition circuit ot the starting magneto, as will presently be explained. lll/hen the handle is lnoved into the position shown in Fig. Lil. to operate the starting magneto through the spring niechanisn'i previously described, disk li2 is rotated clocluvise (as viewed in Fig. 3) into the position shown in Fig. 7, where the switch inenibcr fiel connects contacts 5G and 57 and thereby closes the ignition circuit ot the running magneto. The posit-ion ot .'.ie high-tension switch as shown in Fig. T niay therciorc be called its running position.

In Fig. 9, l hare shown a portion or" a running magneto, which l will indicate as a Whole by RM. l have not deenied it necessary to illustrate any details ot construction of this magneto beyond what is shown in Fig. 9, for the reason type of high-tension magneto may bei einployed, and so l: want to be understood that magneto Elli is to be considered as merely illustrative, except for thel novel `form ot distributor mounted thereon.

liiagneto Rlvl is driven troni the engine shaft through any suitable connection, preterably through an impulse starter, an exninplc ot which is shown in iny Patent No.

199, dated .lune i, i920.

nature shari't olf `the running irrigl the .in ay sinall gear or pinion with a larger gear (Si mounted on a shait b2, wl h is rot 'ably supported in the magneto :traine in any convenient manner. Shaft 62 may be supported in the saine way as shafto' 32, previously described. Gears 6() and (3l are preferably of insulating material, such bakelite canvas or other similar composition. To the outer tace of gear 61 is attached an insulating disk 63, which carries a metallic connecting piece or switch arm 64. As shown in Fig. 9,Ineniber 64 is preferably embedded in the disk, so as to lie flush with the outer surface thereof. switcl. erin Se is indicated in dotted lines in F il.

The switch arin G4 constitutes the rotary part ot the il" ributor, the stationary part opt which comprises an insulating block in-v dicated a whole by 35. This block, r-:hich may be. pressed or molded out of a s composition, is adapted to rest on top ot' a plate 6T secured to the magneto traine. Suitable means, such as a spring lever G8 pivoted at 09, holds block 65 irinly in position on the machine.

The distributor block 65) carries six conthat any suitablel The general shape ofV table casacca tacts indicated by 709 7l., 72, 73, 74 and lin Figs. 9 and l0, these contacts are shown inthe forni ot cylindrical carbon brushes, as they are called, each mounted in a metallic bushing 76 and pressed outwardly by. a spring 77. This form of carbon 4brush is well known in the art and l. have shown it nier-ely as a matter oil convenience.

ln the body of distributor disk 65 are termed six openings, indicated in Fig. 'l0 by dotted lines 78. @ne of these openings is shown sectionally in Fig. into the openings 78 extend insulated electric conductors 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 and 84. lnto each conductor opening 78 extends a screw 85 `for holding the inner end of the conductor clamped in good electrical contact with the associated carbon brush. conductor 8l is held in electric Contact with brush 7l. ln a similar manner, conductor 79 is connected to contact 74, conductor 8O is connected to contact 72, conductor 82 is connected to contact 73, conductor 83 is conA nected to Contact T0 through a metal strip or Wire 86, and 'conductor 84 is connected to contact T5. As seen in Fig. 9, the connecting strip or Wire 86 is embedded in the body of the insulating disk. Brush or contact '70 is arranged to bear continuously on the collector ring 87 of the magneto to collect the current 'from the secondary or high-tension winding, as will be understood.

ln the casing l ot running magneto RM are mounted a timer and interrupter of sui' able construction. As these devices do not in and of themselves form part oil my invention, and as their function is Well under`- stood in 'the arty l. not go into any details concerning them.

l will now reer to Fig. 1l to explain the circuit connections orn the 'two rnagnetos when a' distributor ,like that shown in Figs. 9 and l() is used. ln Fig. l1, the starting magneto SM is diagraminatically indicated by the primary Winding P and the secondary winding; S. Similarly, the running niagneto RM is diagra-rninatically represented by the primary Winding P and the secondary Winding S. One end of primary winding P is grounded at 88 and the other end at 89. The circuit of the primary Winding includes the usual breaker contacts 90 and a condenser 91 shunted across the contacts. (lne `end of the secondary or high-tension coil S is connected to one end of the 'primary coil P, as indicated by a conductor 92, and the other end of the secondary Winding is connected by a lead or conductor 93 to the collector brush 5l of the high-tension switch.

in the running magneto BM, the primary winding P is at one end grounded at 9a and the other end is grounded at 95 through the breaker contacts 96, which are shunted by a condenser' 9'?. A suitable hand- Fig. 9 shows how messes operated short-circuiting switch W may be provided toif'zizcuttin'g the breaker contacts@ out of circuit and thereby short-circuiting higli-tension Winding S is at one end connected to the primary coil, as indicated by a conductor 98. The other end oflthe secondary winding is connected to the collector brush T0, as diagrammatically represented by a conductor 99.

l Conductor i9 connects brush 74 to spark plug 100, conductor 8O connects brush 72 to spark plug 101, conductor 82 connects brush 73 to spark plug 102, and conductor 3f-l connects brush Z5 to spark plug 103. The brush 71 of distributor block 65 is electrically connected to contact 56 oic the hightension switch, as diagramatically indicate-d by. conductors 8i, 104e and 58, in Fig.A 11. ln practice, of course, there will be a single conductorleading from contact 50 to contact 71. The contact 57 of the high-tension `switch is electrically connectedto collector brush 70 of distributor block 65, as diagrammatically indicated by lines 59, 105 and E53, in Fig. 11. y

I' The operation'oli my dual magneto ignition system will now be' understood, but for the sake of clearness l will briefly describe the saine as follows: Letus assume that the operator wishes to start the gas engine, in

this case a tour-cylinder engine. The han-v dle 12 oft the starting mechanism is in normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, and the rotary strip le of the high-tension switch is in normal or starting position to connecty contacts 55 and 56. To actuate the starting mechanism, the operator throws the/handle over to cause accelerated rotation of the armature by the spring 9, as previously explained in detail. V'it the momentr of sparking, the switch arm is still in position to connect contacts and as indicated in 11.. Let us assume that when the spari-zing occurs the rotary switch arm 04e of the distributor of the running magneto in position to connect brush 71 with brush 72. The ignition circuit of the secondary winding S of the starting magneto may bel traced as follows: From coil S through conductor 93, Contact 51, conductor 53, Contact 55, through switch arm i4;- to

to connect contacts ingjl'b Contact 56, through conductors 58, 104 and 531 "to brush 71, through switch arm 64 to brush 72, and from there through conductor 80 to spark plug 101. After the sparking liasoccurred and just before the operating the rotary movement of the starting tur under, the 'action ot spring 9 'witch member into position and 57, thereby breakestarting circuit and closing the i tion circuit otNthe running ma@ o. might explain here that when the handle 12 reaches the end of its forwardY tionary, the moment of release of spring-9 byl cam 26 occurs just before the lug 5 of driving cup reaches the end of clearing slot 3', as indicated by the dotted lines oz:v

in Fig. 6. As the handle is left in its actuated position, in which it is firmly held by pin 27, the switch member lll remains in position to maintain the running. circuit closed.

'7W hen the operator Wants to stop the engine, all he has to do is to close the sh0rtcircuiting switch W of the running magneto, or he may throw back the handle from the position shown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 2, whereby the armature shaft is rotated suiiiciently to swing the switch arm 4A back into the position shown in Figs. 3 and 11, thus breaking the ignition circuit of the ruiming magnetor` This reverse movement of the armature is brought about by the lug 5 of driving cup 5 engaging the shoulder 3 of disk 3, whereby the members 5 and 3 are coupled together and turn backward as a unit to restore the starting mechanism to ynormal. position.

As previousl stated, my new ignition system is particu arly useful in starting large gas engines. I have successfully operated my new system on road-tractor engines of the four-cylinder type. These were unusually heavy engines, having cylinder dimensions of 7 by 9". In starting such an engine with my system, the preliminary procedure isabout as follows: A crowbar or similar instrument is inserted through the spokes of the engine flywheel and by means of the leverage thus obtained the flywheel is turned over until one of the cylinders is approximately past top dead center in a tiring position. The cylinders are now primed withl gasoline, and air under compression is pumped into the cylinder which is in tiring position. Due to the fact that cylinders of gas engines cannot be` made theoretically tight, they lose 'this compres-- sion .rather fast, and I have found from actual experience that in order to tire the compressed mixture in the cylinder it is nec- "moment moving comparatively slowly, the

quicker movement of switch arm 44: closes the circuit connections of. the running magneto betere the distributor arm 64 is in position to connect the spark plug next to be :ii-m Al in. Figs, 3 s ,i ont from the foregoing, the osoii i. w in@ mechanism produces sind@ ark thu:- ing each oscillation. the n tuio in tho angulo cylinder 1s in :i tirant@ condition one spark Wil-1 the ong'iize, so that only one forward throw i tho handle 19 is necessary.

l 12 shows a` somewhat iinjpli rangement of oiouits. in th s diagiam, use the Sama reference ohaimt. rs as in 11 toiidiotita ooiii'ospo v not o* those 15h59 so A. need mug magneto l?? or "i of distrihu lindof.' ongine.-

by' a, oo also cari-mos Wmoh to tml brut lO, 106 l0? and the usual eloctsicoi ooms higi tension i'nagiieto und .o on spurl A J connect cont? g Smit "o tact G to point H3. "This point is ilitontle'l to myn-osait any pointot connection hotwe n distributor brush T and Spal-h phif.t im. Thus, thel ignition circuit oit' the starting; magneto is Closed through contacts and isiou swhohw through the.

` xii statuti 'by xviii he unilevztiangemont o" o1 the stai-ting to Stait the enr e, the syringdmpeiled switch aim 44C breaks tho stmting oirouit before the next s'oai'h ping is iii'od by the running; umg- 'Suit wlngowmnt 't i vtziils :ivo o ho it tivo :imi in no sons@ is is obvious that in ti s broad spoot of my insfoiition, changes and :lftei'ations in tho construction o'i the starting mechanism' the highsteusion switch "m the. starting ma oto, the distributor of .o i'uii'niirf Enigme-to m51 other stzfuotiuni ho iosoNff Without tiopmt- 'motion as ih?- masses afines ha ving one or more cylinders. might add that when lt use the terni gas engine in the description and claims, lt mean broadly an internal combustion engine ot any type, class or construction.

For the sake oi. brevity, l use the expression starting circuit to indicate the ignition circuit of the starting magneto, and by running circuit mean the ignition circuit of the running magneto.

fl claim as my invention:

l. In a dual magneto ignition system for gasengines, a high-tension running niagneto driven by the engine, a high-tension starting.' magneto, means for electrically connecting said magnetos to the spark plugs of the engine, the high-tension circuits of the two niagneos being independent o'' each other, hand-actuated mechanism for operating the starting` magneto, a switch for normally closingthe starting circuit and for opening said circuit when the switch is in actuated position, the running circuit being open when said switch is in normal positon and being closed when saidswitch is in actuated position, and means for operatively connecting said switch to said mechanism in such a Way that the actuation of said mechaniszn to operate the starting magneto automatically throws said switch from starting` to running position after the starting ignition takes place. 2. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a hightension running magneto driven by the engine, a high-tension start ing' magneto, means for electrically connecting said magnetos to the sparl'plugs of the engine, the high-tension circuits of the tuo magnetos being independent ot each other,a switch mounted on the starting magneto and operatively connected to the armature shaft thereof, said switch normally closing th starting circuit, connections whereby the running circuit is open uihen said switch is in normal position, and hand-operated spring mechanism for imparting; to the armature shaft ol the. starting magneto an accelerated rotary movement to produce a spark for starting the engine, said rotary movement ot the Startins armature automatically throwing said switch into posi-n tion to open the starting); circuit and to close the running circuit.

5. ln a dual magneto ignition system 'for gas engines, a high-tension running magneto-driven by the engine, a high-tension starting magneto, means for electrically connecting said magnetos to the spark plugs of the engines, the high-tension circuits ot the two magnetos being independent of cach other., a switch mounted on the starting magneto and operatively connected to the armature shaft thereof, said switch nor-y mally closing the stoltirn;` circuit, connee tionswhereby the running circuit is open `neto shaft, means for' connecting said when said switch is in normal position handle movably mounted on the arn shaft of the starting magneto, an mechanism infor rcleasably connect. b handle tosaid armature shaft, so that a Ward movement ot the handle causes mechanism to impart an accelerated itation to said armature shaft to produce a sparlr for starting;v the enrgine, said rotary movement ot the starti armature l eniatically throwing said su tch into posit' rl to open the starting circuit and 'to close t running` circuit.

a. l a dual insigni-itc ,ignition system iter gas engines, a high-tension running; in neto adapted to he dri'rencby the enf distributor mounted on said man" electrically connected to the sthe eng' ic cylinders, said distributor l. iup; a rotary Contact member driven by magneto shalt, means tor c-onnf ring saro. distributor injdie high-tension circuit et the running;l magneto, a high-tension start ing magneto electrically wconnected to the rotary contact member el' said distributor', hand-actuated mechanism for operating 'the starting; magneto, and a switch operated by the armature shaft of the starting magneto for controlling the high-tension circuits ot the two magnetos.

ln a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension running mag-- neto adapted to loe driven hy 'the engine, a distributor mounted on said magneto and electrically connected to the spark plugs the engine cylinders, said distributor having a rotary Contact niei'nber driven by the mag;H

distributor in the high-tension circuit ofthe runningmagneto, a. hig'lrtcnsion starting magneto electrically connected to the rotary Contact member ot said distributor., handactuatcd inechanisin :for operating; the start ing magneto, a switch mounted on the y ai 'l ing magneto for controllingY the high-ten sion circuits of the two niagnetos, said' switch con]prisin.;v a stationary member carrying contacts and a rotary nieinher arn ranged to connect said. contacts elec and moans 'for operatively connecti rotary ineinher to the' armature shaft et the starting' magneto,

(i. In a dual. magneto ignition system lor gas engines, a high-tension starting magneto, hand-actuated oscillating mechanism Jfor 'op-y erationy saidinagneto to start the engine, a high-tension running magneto operatively connected with the engine, the high-tension circuits of the two inagnetos being; indeu pendent ot each other, anda switch controlled by said mechanism for controlling the high-tension circuits or ythe tno magl netos.

ln a dual magneto ignition sysifr'. gas engines,- a high-tension neto, hand-actuated mechanism for operating said magneto to Start the engine, a hightension running.,r magnetoy operatively connected to the engine, the high-tension circuits or the two magnetos being independent of each other, and a switch mounted on the starting magneto and operated by the ar mature shaft thereof for controlling` the high-tension circuits et the two magnetos.

8. in a dual magneto ignition system for engines, a high-tension starting magi'- neto, a handle movably mounted on the ai mature shaft of said magneto and capable of forward and return movement, springy nerhnnisni for releasably comiectinl;T said l said armature sliatt, so that a movement et said handle causes banism to impart an acceicraied roten, said armature to produce a spari; Lt'or starting the engine, high-teusii'in running,l magneto operatively connected to the engine,j` and a switch controlled by the armature' shaft of the starting mag-neto for controllingl the high-tension circuits of the two magnetos.

9. in a dual magneto ignition system for engines, a high-tension starting niagneto, a handle movably mounted on the ai mature shaft of said magneto and capable of 'forward and return movement, spring mechanism for releasably connecting said handle to said' armature shalt, so that a forward increment of said handle causes said mechanism to impart an accelerated rotation to said armature to produce a spark for starting the engine, a higlrtension running magneto operatively connected to the engine, and a switch mounted on the starting magneto and operated by the armature shaft thereof for controlling the high-ten- Sion circuits of the two magnetos.

l0. iin a dual magneto ignition systen'i for gas engines, a higlntension .starting magneto adapted to be operated by hand, a hightension running magneto adapted to be driven by the engine, eachl magneto having a collector ring mounted nn the armature elia'l't thereof, a distributor mounted on said 'running magneto and electrically connected to the spari; plugs or the engine, said, distributor having a rotary contact member driven in unison with the magneto shaft, an insulatingblock removably mounted on the startingP magneto :it the collecting' end thereof and having' a brush arranged directly in Contact with the collector ring ot' said magneto, a rst contact carried by said block and electricallyY connected. with said collector brush, a second Contact on said block in eieetrical connection with the collector brush the umringt;1r magneto, a third contact on bloei; in electrical connection with the rotary contact :member of said distributoi, a switch member slidable over said contacts :tor el"cl,ricall coi'inecting the first and third contacts to close the. starting,v circuit and for electrically connecting the second and third contacts to close the running circuit, and a rotary disk on which said switch member is mounted.

ll.. in a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension starting mag'- neto adapted to be operated by hand, a hightension running magneto adapted to be driven by the engine, a distributor mounted on said running;1 magneto and clectrically connected to the spark plugs ot the engine, said distributor having a ro i contact member driven in unison n'i *i "nagneto shaft, au insulating` block reuicrabi mounted en the starting; n d brush arranged in con ring; 'Y ried by i, d blo ri and ed with said collector brush, a tact on said block in i i I with the collector brush oi the running magg; neto, a third Contact on said biooli in electrical connection with the rotary member of said distributor, an insulating disk geared to the armature shaft of the starting magneto, and a switch member carried by said disk for electrically connecting the first and third contacts to close the starting circuit and for electrically connecting1 the second and third contacts to clore ie i ming circuit.

12in a dual magneto ignition system 'for gas engines, a runi'iing i Aeto driven by the engine, a starting1 meto, band-oper- C) ated means for o scill` armature of the starting; magneto prince a single spark, circuit connections botar` een said marfnetos and 'the spark plugs et ,he meine, and a switch operated by the starter magneto for controlling the ignition circuits ci the two inagnetos. l

13. lin a'dual'nagneto ignition system `or gas engines, starting` magneto, an, oscillatine; handle at one end ot said magneto, operative connections between said handle and the armature sha-'ft o'i2 said magneto 'for imparting' an accelerated movement to the armature when the handle is thrown, over, a switch operatively connected to said shaft, and running; controlled by said switcha 1^. n dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a starting' magneto, a handle at one end of said magneto, driving connections between said handle and the armature shaft oit said magneto, an insulating; blocli mounted on said mag-neto and haring' a brush to collec current from the armature Winding, contacts carried by said block, a rotarw switch member mounted on the niagnea, ,i ame and arranged to nn over said iacts, means tor ,fuieratively -'foiiicc'tin L' id switch n'ieinber to the ar neas gas engines, a starting magneto, a movable handle at one end of said magneto, driving.

connections between said handle and the armature shaft of said magneto, a runningl magneto, circuit connections between said niagnetos and the spark plugs ot' the engine, a switch in said circuit connections, and means for operating said switch in accordM ance with the movements ot' the armature Shaft ot' the starting magneto, said switch automatically breaking the starting circuit and closing the running circuit when the handle is thrown forward, 'the return movement of the handle automatically operating said switch to open the running circuit.

16. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a running magneto, a starting magneto, circuit connection between magnetos and the spark plugs of the engine, a movable handle,

means whereby the forn ward movement of said handle operates the starting magneto, and a switch controlled bythe :torward movement of the handle to automatically brealrthe starting circuit and close the running circuit after the operation of the starting magneto, the return moven ment of said handle automatically operating said switch to break the running' circuit.

17. ln a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a running magneto, a starting magneto, circuit connections between said magnetos and the spark plugs of the engine, a handle on the starting magneto, means whereby the forward movement of said handle operates the starting magneto, a switch mounted on the starting magneto and connected in the ignition circuits of the two magnetos, and means for controlling said switch in such a way that the forward Inovement of the handle automatically breaks the starting circuit and closes the running' cir cuit after the operation of the starting `magn neto, the return movement o said handle automatically operating said switch to break the running circuit.,

3.8. In e. dual, ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension starting magneto hav,- mg a collector ring on the armature shaft, an insulating block removably' mounted on the magnejtorame over the collector ring, a collectorbrush anda plurality of contacts carried by said block, said collector brush` being arranged to engage said collector ring,

- one ct said contacts being electrically coin nec'ted to said collector brush, another of said contacts beine ated to be' electrically connected with s l plug ozt' an engine, an insultutiuign*t dick d over the armature shaft aus, provi l. a metallic stricA arloeing independ# the mamffncto` frame ranged to more ore Y said contacts and said high-tension sw4d o ing the high-tension magneto, a gear on said startingniaeneJ said dislr and in nie gear, whereby the said dis-lr, and liai'iflopc rotate the arimiture sin .starting spark .moving Said str1 cnc ci said contacts sion starting" circuit moment of spar lil. .ln dual ibmlior glues, a liiglutensiou ing; a collector rin i e an insulating bloei namre removably mounten one?? the collector rn a collector brush and a carried by said block, being arranged to ene; one of said contacts l nected with said colle to said contacts being adepte connected with a .spari an insulating dislr mounce ture shalt and pro strip arranged to nio whereby said contacts tute a high-tension breaking the li ign-tene the magneto., mechanism moi oi the magneto moven'ient thereto spark, the rotation f; i moving` said strip out or. one olf sind coiitac'ts sion starting circuit moment of sparlringn 20. .ln a dual na gas engines, a li neto, a l'iigli-tension cuit connections between the spark plugs et "il actuated switch, and c conne'k whereby7 said switch 'u atieally the running circuit, after the starting has passed, before the nent si be firedvu 21'.' ln a dual magneto i gas engines, a hightensicn neto, hand-actuated mec ,l ing said magneto to c tension runningi mae. etcv oyeratively o nected with the encino, a switch @controller by said mechanism for .controlling 'the lii 'tension circuits of the Snag-netos, ameans whereby said en the engi has started, closes r ng circuit helio-x; thenext spark nlu to be ad ln a dual nia ""niticn system i inning laag;

kcally con rush, another oY to be electrically of an engine, d over the arma "Ir'itli metallic Ita racing la sw Asrinature sli' c "i gement w1 t i the big-loto i ately alter `the "ii'ion Syst n for running magneto, magneten a I a Epu a plus is "f gas' engines, a big adapted to be driven by the engine, a distributor mounted on said magneto and electrically connected to the spark plugs of the engine cylinders, said distributor having a rotary contact member driven by the inagneto shaft, means for connecting said dis-A tributor in the high-tension circuit of the running magneto, a high-tension starting magneto electrically connected to the ro tary Contact member of said distributor, hand-actuated mechanism for operating the starting magneto, a switch for controlling 4the high-tension circuits of the two magnetos, and means whereby said switch, after the engine has started, closes the running circuit before said rotary member of the distributor is 4in position to connect the spark plug'next to be liied.

23. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension starting magneto, hand-actuated mechanism `for operating said magneto to start the engine, a high-tension running magneto operatively connected with the engine, lsaid operative connections between the running magneto and the engine including a rotary distributor arm for successively connecting the s ark plu s in circuit,a switch for contro ing the igh-ten sion circuits of the two magnetos, and means whereby said switch, after the engine has started, closes the. running circuit before said distributor arin is in position to connect the spark plug next to be fired.

211. In a dual magneto ignition system for -gas engines, a high-tension starting magneto,

' hand-actuated mechanism for operating said magneto to start the engine, a high-tension running magneto operatively connected with 'the engine, the high-tension circuits of the two magnetos being independent of each other, a switch controlled by' said mechal nism for controlling the high-tension circuit of the starting magneto, and means whereby said switch opens the starting circuit before the running magneto fires the next spark plug.

25. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension ruiming magneto adapted to be driven by the engine, a distributor mounted on said magneto and electrically connected to the spark plugs of the engine cylinders, saiddistributor having a rotary contact member driven by the mag- 'neto shaft, means for' connecting said distributor in the high-tension" circuit of the running magneto, a high-tension startimy magneto electrically connected to a spar plug, hand-actuated mechanism for operating the starting magneto a switch operated by the armature shaft o the starting magy neto, and circuit'connections whereby said switch closes the starting circuit to start the engine while the running circuit is open and then automatically opens the starting circuit and closes the running circuit.

26. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension starting magneto, a handle movably mounted on the armature shaft of said magneto and capable of forward and return movement, springl mechanism for releasably connecting said said armature shaft, so that a forward movement of the handle-causes said mechanism to impart an accelerated rotation to said armature to produce a spark for starting the engine, a high-tension running magneto operatively connected to the engine, and a switch controlled by the armature shaft of the starting magneto for controlling the higli-tension circuit thereof, said switch being adapted to open the starting circuit before the running magneto fires the next spark plug.

27. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a high-tension running magneto, a high-tension starting magneto, an oscillating handle at one end of said startin magneto, operative connections between sai handle and the armature shaft of said starting magneto for imparting an accelerated movement to the armature when the handle is thrown over, a switch operatively connected to said shaft, and means for electrically connectin the starting circuit through said switc to a spark plug of the engine.

28. In a dual magneto ignition system for gas engines, a -high-tension runmng magneto, a high-tension starting magneto, circuit connections between the runnin magneto and the spark plug or spark pIugs of the engine, and means for connecting the starting circuit to' a spark plug, said means including a switch adapted automatically to open the starting circuit before the running magneto fires the next spark plug.

29. In a high-tension ignition magneto, a spring connected at one end with the armature shaft of the magneto, an oscillating handle mounted on said armature shaft so as to move independently thereof, means for operatively connecting the other end of said spring with said handle, a device arran ed to hold the armature shaft stationary w en the handle is moved forwardly to wind up I.

andle to handle to the armati'e shaft, so that a for# I ward movement of thehandle places said mechanism under tension and automatically reeases the .same to' impart accelerated `l'lotamegneto.

'31. Xn an ignition magneto, a member.

xed on the armature shaft, a casing 'rotat-- aoy mounted on the armature shat, a hande izzed on Said second lnelnber for turning.

he e spring in said casing connecte its to said members, a devi-ee lfolholding the armature vshaft: stationary when A the handle is moved to turn said casing 15" f whereby said spring is placed under tension, and means carried by said casing 'for actu- .atin said .device to release the armature sha and thereby cause acceleratedrotation thereof under action of the tensioned spring, 2.0 j* o said handle being free to be moved back to normal position, and a rotatable switch member operated by the rotating armature shaft to control the circuit of the magneto.

FREDERICK W. ANDREW 

